SA ATM CASH WITHDRAWAL VALUES REGAIN MOMENTUM AND RECORD FOUR-YEAR HIGH
6 March 2012: Latest February statistics released by Spark ATM Systems, South Africa’s premier
independent ATM deployer, indicate that consumer spending and trading conditions are gradually
stabilising, following a significant drop-off in withdrawal values from December 2011 to January 2012.
The Spark Cash Index (SCI)*, which measures the average value of cash withdrawals across more
than 1 500 Spark ATM's throughout the country, revealed a small month-on-month drop of 1.31% in
February 2012 to R412 per transaction, compared to the drop of 8.81% recorded in January 2012.
Latest average withdrawal statistics also reveal a 1.93% year-on-year increase for February 2012 and
the figure of R412 is also the highest recorded average cash withdrawal amount for February in four
years.
According to Marc Sternberg, MD of Spark ATM Systems, the stabilisation of average cash
withdrawal values is in keeping with consumer cash withdrawal patterns recorded over the past four
years. “Following the traditional post-festive season slump in January, consumer spending gradually
starts to gather momentum again in February, returning to positive gains during the Easter holiday
period,” says Sternberg.
According to Statistics SA, during 2011, retail sales rose 6.1%, up from 5.1% in 2010. “This is positive
news for consumer spending for the first half of 2012. Current factors such as high nominal income
levels and interest rates remaining steady at near-30 year lows are helping to sustain household
consumption, which is a key driver of our economy at almost 60% of overall gross domestic product.”
Sternberg also points to a recent report by the Investment Property Databank (IPD), which measures
retail trading densities for South Africa’s largest shopping centres, which revealed a 4.9% year-onyear increase in 2011.
However, Sternberg warns that factors such as rising inflation and challenging global conditions may
eat into disposable income, curbing household consumption in the second half of 2012.
-ends*About the Spark Cash Index (SCI): The amount of cash withdrawn at ATMs is a real-time indicator of
cash availability and consumer spending in the economy. From Spark ATM Systems’ records the
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Spark Cash Index October 2011
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company has noticed that over time the average amount of cash withdrawn at its network of ATMs
corresponds with general economic conditions in South Africa. The Index also points to consumer
trends such as the variations in cash withdrawn based on prevailing economic conditions, particularly
variations in the prime interest rate and seasonal peaks and dips.
The value for the SCI is obtained using the following formula: Cash dispensed for the month divided
by the number of cash withdrawals for the month across a selection of Spark ATM’s network of ATMs.
The sample size is very large, and covers both urban and rural areas across all nine provinces of
South Africa, therefore representing a very good cross section of South African consumers. The data
presented is raw data and has not been adjusted for seasonality or for the effects of inflation.
Contact Details
Evan Gilbert
Account Executive
Epic Communications (Pty) Ltd
Cape Town: Suite 602, The Regent, 19-33 Regent Road
Sea Point, Cape Town
Office: +27 21 439 8008
Mobile: +27 73 801 1100
www.epiccommunications.co.za
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Website:
www.sparkatm.co.za
Disclaimer
Every effort is expended in an endeavour to ensure accuracy in the presentation of this
information. The information is derived from accurate and reliable sources. However, Spark
ATM Systems (Pty) Ltd is not responsible for the consequences of any actions or losses
resulting from reliance on this information or publication and urges readers to seek detailed
advice and to exercise caution in their decision making.
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